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Southwood Elementary School

Public Grades K-6

457^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 491 Arkansas Elementary Schools

Better than 7% of Arkansas elementary schools

Summary

Southwood Elementary School in Pine Bluff, AR, serves 345 students in grades K-6 and is part of the Pine Bluff School District, a district that faces significant challenges. While the school consistently outperforms its district average in most subjects, it ranks in the bottom 10% of Arkansas elementary schools, with 100% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. A standout finding is that 44.2% of Southwood's 6th graders were proficient in math in the 2025-2026 school year—nearly double the district average and matching the state average—suggesting a specific, effective strategy for that grade level. However, performance in other grades, such as 4th and 5th grade English Language Arts, is very low, with only 7.9% and 12.7% proficiency, respectively.

Compared to nearby schools, Southwood's results highlight a stark divide tied to socioeconomic factors. For instance, Moody Elementary School, Taylor Elementary School, and Gandy Elementary School in the White Hall School District—just 6-8 miles away—have free/reduced lunch rates between 55% and 72% and rank in the top 50% of the state. In contrast, Southwood and its district peers like Matthews Elementary School all have 100% poverty rates and rank in the bottom 5%. Even within the same charter network, Friendship Aspire Academy Downtown Pine Bluff ranks in the 83rd percentile, while Friendship Aspire Academy Hazel St Pine Bluff, located just 0.45 miles from Southwood, ranks much lower at the 27th percentile.

Southwood spends over $15,000 per student annually—significantly more than high-performing White Hall schools like Moody Elementary ($9,972)—and maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio of 15:1. Yet, academic results remain poor, likely because resources are directed toward addressing non-academic needs stemming from high poverty. This paradox underscores that while Southwood is a relative "bright spot" within its district, the profound impact of poverty creates a ceiling on academic achievement that additional funding alone cannot overcome.

345

Students ?

15.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$15,646

Per pupil spending ?

100%

Free/discounted lunch ?

4200 S Fir St
Pine Bluff, AR 71603

(870) 543-4390

District: Pine Bluff School District

Racial breakdown:

African American:

90.4%

White:

4.3%

Two or more races:

3.5%

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At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 4th percentile in 2021 → 7th in 2026

Strengths

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Pine Bluff School District

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Arkansas average (19% vs 42% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (7th percentile)

!Science scores 27 pts below the Arkansas average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school19%

District avg16%

Arkansas avg42%

457^th of 491

Arkansas public elementary schools ?

Bottom 7%▲ up 3 pts since 2021

From bottom 4% (2021) to bottom 7% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Arkansas Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 4Elementary Schools in the Pine Bluff School District

247^th of 251Pine Bluff School District among Arkansas districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arkansas percentile	Rating
2026	11.3	457 of 491	6.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	15.6	438 of 495	11.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	10.7	469 of 497	5.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	8.4	462 of 492	6.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	11.9	438 of 487	10.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	6.6	478 of 496	3.6%	☆☆☆☆☆

By subject vs Arkansas (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics21%-23 vs state

English Language Arts18%-22 vs state

Reading18%-23 vs state

Science17%-27 vs state

★

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Schools Near Southwood Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				ATLAS English Language Arts (2026)					ATLAS Reading (2026)					ATLAS Mathematics (2026)					ATLAS Science (2026)					Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ATLAS English Language Arts 3rd Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 4th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 5th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 6th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts All Grades	ATLAS Reading 3rd Grade	ATLAS Reading 4th Grade	ATLAS Reading 5th Grade	ATLAS Reading 6th Grade	ATLAS Reading All Grades	ATLAS Mathematics 3rd Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 4th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 5th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 6th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics All Grades	ATLAS Science 3rd Grade	ATLAS Science 4th Grade	ATLAS Science 5th Grade	ATLAS Science 6th Grade	ATLAS Science All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Southwood Elementary School	Public	K-6	4200 S Fir St	Pine Bluff	71603	Jefferson County	Pine Bluff School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 543-4390	345	23	15.2	100.0%	15 (4.3%)	312 (90.4%)	3 (0.9%)	3 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (3.5%)	11.3	457^th of 491 public elementary schools	6.9%		15.6	438^th of 495 public elementary schools	11.5%	19	24.4	7.9	12.7	28.6	17.9	24.4	10.5	11.0	28.6	17.9	19.6	21.1	9.1	44.2	21.4	17.3	15.8	12.7	26.5	17.3	$15,646	$2,336	$13,310
Friendship Aspire Academy Hazel St Pine Bluff	Public, Charter	K-5	Pine Bluff Ar 71603	Pine Bluff	71603	Jefferson County	Friendship Aspire Academies Arkansas	Yes	No	No	Yes	(870) 395-7401	469	29	16.2	80.0%	6 (1.3%)	447 (95.3%)	6 (1.3%)	4 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	4 (0.9%)	31.9	357^th of 491 public elementary schools	27.3%		40	314^th of 495 public elementary schools	36.6%	43	20.3	32.4	34.8		30.0	21.6	31.5	37.0		30.7	16.3	45.0	32.6		33.2	24.3	44.1	34.8		35.8	$17,582	$4,906	$12,676
Edgewood Elementary School	Public	K-1	4100 West 32nd	Pine Bluff	71603	Jefferson County	Watson Chapel School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 879-1252	199	15	13.5	78.4%	24 (12.1%)	168 (84.4%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (2.0%)								(n/a)																					$13,689	$1,836	$11,853
Thirty-Fourth Street Elementary School	Public	K-6	801 East 34th Ave	Pine Bluff	71603	Jefferson County	Pine Bluff School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 543-4392	399	23	17.5	100.0%	8 (2.0%)	363 (91.0%)	7 (1.8%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (4.5%)	8.5	472^nd of 491 public elementary schools	3.9%		6.3	486^th of 495 public elementary schools	1.8%	14	20.0	24.5	8.5	24.4	18.9	20.0	26.4	5.1	24.5	18.4	17.2	18.8	1.7	20.4	13.8	20.0	17.0	1.7	16.3	12.7	$16,198	$3,313	$12,886
Coleman Elementary School	Public	2-5	4600 West 13th	Pine Bluff	71603	Jefferson County	Watson Chapel School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 879-3697	426	31	13.8	79.8%	44 (10.3%)	366 (85.9%)	4 (0.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (2.6%)	11.6	454^th of 491 public elementary schools	7.5%		8.7	474^th of 495 public elementary schools	4.2%	20	27.6	11.0	23.4		19.5	27.5	11.0	27.7		20.9	17.6	8.5	30.1		17.8	26.3	9.3	22.6		18.2	$12,336	$1,756	$10,580
Friendship Aspire Academy Downtown Pine Bluff	Public, Charter	K-3	Pine Bluff Ar 71601	Pine Bluff	71603	Jefferson County	Friendship Aspire Academies Arkansas	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(870) 515-4001	245	16	15.7	79.2%	3 (1.2%)	235 (95.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (2.0%)	80.1	82^nd of 491 public elementary schools	83.3%		49.6	262^nd of 495 public elementary schools	47.1%	180	57.9				57.9	57.9				57.9	79.0				79.0	44.7				44.7
Broadmoor Elementary School	Public	K-6	1106 Wisconsin Street	Pine Bluff	71601	Jefferson County	Pine Bluff School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 543-4368	283	20	13.9	100.0%	11 (3.9%)	253 (89.4%)	3 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	15 (5.3%)	6.6	480^th of 491 public elementary schools	2.2%		3.9	494^th of 495 public elementary schools	0.2%	14	27.5	13.3	11.5	20.0	17.4	25.0	13.4	11.5	23.3	17.4	22.5	8.9	9.6	6.5	11.9	20.0	13.3	3.8	12.9	11.9	$16,699	$2,977	$13,722
Matthews Elementary School	Public	K-6	4501 Dollarway Rd	Pine Bluff	71602	Jefferson County	Pine Bluff School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 534-0726	367	24	15.2	100.0%	13 (3.5%)	336 (91.6%)	7 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.9%)	7.2	477^th of 491 public elementary schools	2.9%		11.7	457^th of 495 public elementary schools	7.7%	20	19.3	12.2	18.5	25.5	19.2	17.0	14.6	13.8	23.5	17.1	11.9	17.1	12.3	21.5	15.3	17.0	9.8	12.3	15.7	13.9	$15,830	$2,840	$12,990
Gandy Elementary School	Public	K-5	400 Gandy Avenue	White Hall	71602	Jefferson County	White Hall School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 247-4054	366	25	14.6	65.0%	230 (62.8%)	104 (28.4%)	16 (4.4%)	12 (3.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.8%)	63.2	184^th of 491 public elementary schools	62.5%		53	244^th of 495 public elementary schools	50.7%	60	43.1	44.1	46.8		44.5	53.4	44.1	49.0		48.5	62.1	33.8	57.4		49.7	50.8	39.8	48.9		45.9	$11,292	$1,357	$9,935
Taylor Elementary School	Public	K-5	805 West Street	White Hall	71602	Jefferson County	White Hall School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 247-1988	373	23	16.2	71.6%	162 (43.4%)	131 (35.1%)	24 (6.4%)	27 (7.2%)	3 (0.8%)	16 (4.3%)	10 (2.7%)	48.9	264^th of 491 public elementary schools	46.2%		54.7	233^rd of 495 public elementary schools	52.9%	31	34.4	55.0	49.1		46.1	36.1	53.3	43.8		44.4	24.6	30.0	22.8		25.8	42.6	45.0	43.8		43.9	$10,756	$1,354	$9,402

Frequently Asked Questions about Southwood Elementary School

Is Southwood Elementary School a good school?

Southwood Elementary School ranks in the bottom 6.9% of Arkansas elementary schools.

What district is Southwood Elementary School in?

Pine Bluff School District

What is the racial makeup of Southwood Elementary School?

Students at Southwood Elementary School are 90% African American, 4% White, 3% Two or more races.

How many students attend Southwood Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 345 students attended Southwood Elementary School.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.